The Sigma DP1 is certainly a unique camera and once again achieves the important goal of equipping a compact body with a DSLR-sized sensor. Use the camera in the right conditions and it really shines, delivering images with an astonishing degree of detail and sharpness across the entire frame.

There are other cameras with similar handling, but the sensor size is sure to appeal to a certain type of photographer. Whilst it has certain charms, it’s by no means perfect and minor adjustments to the design of the camera would make it more usable, while Sigma also needs to look at the flash and fix those problems for any subsequent models.

As you might imagine the DP1 is not great for your typical portrait shoot and it’s not ideal for wildlife or sports photography either but it does a very good job in landcape and (due to its low distortion) architecture photography.

There are many options that are akin to SLR-like cameras. The fixed focal length lens might seem limiting at first, but this is something you get used to, even enjoy using. But the LCD screen is problematic, and in bright daylight got in the way of making compositional decisions and even exposure settings.

The Sigma DP1 is not a great people camera thanks to the 16mm wide-angle lens, but it is an interesting solution for landscape and other scenic photography. Its very low barrel distortion numbers mean that the Sigma DP1’s lens is a great choice for shooting objects with straight lines.